NEW DELHI, July 22: Opposition MPs on Monday held up parliamentary proceedings by demanding that the Indian government dismiss the chief minister of Gujarat and impose federal rule on the riot-torn state.

Krishan Kant, chairman of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament), suspended the sitting for the day after opposition parties demanded president’s (federal) rule in Gujarat.

The Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) followed suit after being rocked by the Gujarat issue, with opposition MPs, led by the Congress party, trooping to the well of the house shouting slogans such as “Remove Narendra Modi,” “Save the nation,” and “Dismiss the Gujarat government.”

The state’s chief minister, Narendra Modi, who has been lambasted by the opposition for failing to stop communal violence in Gujarat, dissolved his government on Friday to pave the way for fresh elections.

The Hindu nationalist BJP, which rules the state, was accused by opposition parties of complicity in the rioting.

When lower house speaker Manohar Joshi admonished opposition MPs for behaving badly, they were quick to retort.

“You are talking about the proper conduct of the house when the very constitution of India has been violated,” shouted senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy.

“What Modi has done shows much more gross misuse of power. The issue should be taken up first, before any other business in the house.”

Defying the opposition tirade, the speaker went ahead with the legislative business amid the chorus of chants by the opposition members. After a brief adjournment for lunch, the house met again only to be adjourned for the day as the opposition continued its attack..—AFP